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My Brother: From 400 Pounds To Triathlete

You can read the story and see pics on my blog by clicking here   If you get a chance please leave a comment for me over on my blog. I know it's a pain to fill out the form to leave comments on the main blog but you have no idea how it makes my day!! Love all of you and I know we will win the fight against obesity together!!

300PoundsDown

300PoundsDown

 

2 Months Post-Surgery

I haven't been able to get on this website for about 3 weeks due to computer issues, and then family illness. Thankfully, that's all taken care of now!   It's hard to believe that 2 months ago I had a life-changing, mind-blowing experience with the realization of getting my sleeve. After years of major struggles with the lap-band, and 2 years spent searching for a Doctor who would even consider seeing me, God opened the door for me at Dr. Kaler's office. Dr. Kaler had no hesitation in telling me, "Yes, I can do your revision". I remember sitting in his exam room with tears in my eyes, thinking "Finally, someone who can help me". The sense of relief that this ordeal was finally over was surreal.   After years of struggling with the band, the sliming, the sticking, the not being able to eat out in front of anyone other than my DH, my mother's comments of "Oh honey, I just wish there was something that could be done for you", my revision was done in one surgery.   The changes that have occurred in my life since have been amazing. No more sticking, no more sliming, eating out with friends, feeling like I'm 15 years younger, the energy, the ability to get out and move, the improved numbers from my bloodwork, actually enjoy life has been such a blessing.   As of this morning, I am down 42lbs, and 3 dress sizes. I still struggle with my eyes being WAAAAYY bigger than my sleeve. I suspect this will be a challenge for quite a long time. But it's always surprising to me how much is left on my plate. My DH has enjoyed my leftovers many times and isn't complaining.   To have the ability to eat without the expectation that it's going to be a painful experience, has made me realize that I have taken eating for granted. I no longer do that. I know truly enjoy my food, more as a true pleasure, and I'm focusing on making sure that those meals are well worth the effort. I'm learning new recipes, experiencing new foods, and focus on eating whole, healthy, fresh foods. And it's such a great time of the year to do this. With the Farmer's Markets that are open now, my vegetable garden, learning to can and freeze fresh fruits and vegetables, purchasing grass fed beef, free-range chicken, and the most recent addition to our little farm - a Devon pig, who will be filling our freezer this fall, our food quality has increased by leaps and bounds. No more pre-processed food, no more white carbs, a significant reduction in gluten in our lives has made a tremendous difference in not just my, but my DH's life. I never would have made these changes in our life had it not been for the sleeve.   I'm eating pretty much anything I want, just in drastically smaller quantities, and the only thing I haven't tried yet is a salad. For some reason, that's the one thing that looms in my mind as the "The Big One". I'm sure it's just in my head that way, but I still see a Salad and think, "One day I'll be able to eat that and really enjoy it", but I haven't tried one yet. I'm not big on restaurant salads, but prefer to buy my own ingredients and make them at home. That way I can control what goes in to it.   I will always encourage those who are thinking about getting the lapband toward the sleeve, and I will support those who want a revision by sharing my experience. Just as so many of the folks on this wonderful website have done for me.

ChaChaBurch

ChaChaBurch

 

1St Fill (6 Weeks Post-Op)

Just had my first fill yesterday. Now I have 4 cc in a 14 cc band. They had a bit of trouble with access due to the scar tissue, were able to access it after about 4-5 tries. The sips of water went down with no problem. I went to choir rehearsal a few hours later and my the reflux I felt when I tried to sing with my full voice and diaphragm. Note to self - don't schedule fills too close to singing engagements.

PAenergy

PAenergy

 

Two Months Postop (Week 8)

I lost 1.2 lbs this week. This puts my current weight at 215.4 (from a high of 246). My total weight loss since starting this journey has been 30.6 lbs (average weight loss per week is 2.5….which does not include the 10 lbs I lost post op).   I am two months PostOp and I am pretty much eating whatever I want – except in smaller amounts (examples of things I am eating – watermelon, spaghetti, cereal, small salads, asparagus, etc.). If it can fit into one of my 4 oz containers that is how much I eat.   Best meal this week was a tomato, mozzarella, basil salad with left over fresh tuna my husband caught (ate separately…drizzled wasabi, soy, ginger dressing on the tuna..yum!). The day before I had the tuna on a small bed of lettuce with the dressing and sliced up cucumbers.   Please note that I don’t enjoy cooking at all. I did make the tomato/mozzarella salad but my husband cooked the tuna. I’ve been looking up “make ahead” salads so I have more healthy “go to” items in the fridge (this weekend I want to try a black bean confetti salad and a Texas caviar salad – found easy recipes through pinterest). I thought those would be good with some pre-cooked chicken.   I made the mistake of watching the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead this week. Now I want a juicer and started obsessing about getting in micro nutrients (I liked parts of the documentary but not all of it. It is about juice fasting.). I also made the mistake of weighing myself every day (which has not helped me mentally and has me questioning everything I am eating when I am eating below 1200 calories as it is). I am close enough to being under 200 to “taste” it. We bought plane tickets to go home this summer and I would love to be under 200 when I go. I am feeling some “self pressure” to drop those pounds in the coming month which I think is contributing to my recent blah mood (mainly because I know I should probably join the Y and get on a regular exercise program if I want to lose that weight in the next month).   I had a moment yesterday where everything was ticking me off and all I wanted to do was go and eat and eat and eat. I went to McDonalds and got a hot fudge sundae and that made my stomach feel horrible and I pretty much didn’t eat for the rest of the night. I was mad that I couldn’t eat like I wanted but got over that (I’m normally a pretty happy person so I am going to blame my recent mood on PMS).   My exercise is still hit or miss and not really planned. I walked 3 miles on Saturday and did some hiking and a lot of walking around on Sunday.   I am not counting calories or weighing my food (too much “work” for me). I am eating in 1, 2 or 4 oz increments (these are the mini containers I purchased so my meals are measured with that).   Here is an idea of what I am eating:   Breakfast – High Protein Slimfast Chocolate Shake with Skim Milk (sometimes with strawberries or bananas blended in). Sometimes Go Lean Crunch cereal with skim milk served in a ramekin. Sometimes a ready to drink shake that I have on hand in case I am running late. Sometimes an Atkins bar.   Snack (around 10 a.m.) – Atkins bar or 4 oz flavored greek yogurt with 1 oz of Go Lean Crunch mixed in or applesauce or jello.   Lunch (I usually start eating from 11:30 to 1 p.m. in little increments) 4 oz applesauce
4 oz of left over dinner (i.e. spaghetti, grilled tuna, sliced ham and cheese, usually something with protein, etc.)
4 oz watermelon (this is a recent thing but I have also had sliced cucumbers too)
Sugar Free Jello snack pack
  Mid Snack (around 3 p.m.) – Almonds, Atkins bar, yogurt, cheese stick (any of those)   Dinner (around 5:30) 4 oz of dinner
4 oz of veggies with dinner (I usually don’t eat the carbs that go with the dinner)
  Desert – SF popsicle, cut up fruit, or SF gelatin

mrsteacher

mrsteacher

 

My Journey Begins

Looking back over the past 19 years I don't remember a day that has gone by that I have not been concerned about my weight. My weight started to fluctuate after I had my first child 19 years ago. Before pregnancy I was 105 pounds, always a small child & teenager. I have tried every diet imaginable; diet pills, gym memberships (yes that is plural), nutritionist and several personal trainers. If the word weight loss was involved I tried it.   2 years ago I began researching different types of weight loss surgeries. I narrowed it down to the gastric sleeve and the lap band. I met with a Bariatric Surgeon in Raleigh NC and he discussed both options in detail with me. After the discussion with the surgeon I knew that the gastric sleeve was the best option for me. The doctors office went over all the cost with me and what my insurance company would require.   So this is where my journey begins! Appointments were set; lab work, sleep study, ultrasound of my stomach, upper GI, and several meetings with a nutritionist and a psychologist. Let me tell you after all of the those appointments I was exhausted! The results were back and everything was submitted to my insurance company, BlueCross BlueShield of NC. IT CAME BACK DENIED!! I was devastated!! I could not afford the out of pocket cost with the surgeon in NC! (estimate $25,000)   I knew I wanted this surgery and I knew there had to be a way I could get it! After surfing the web I came across this website and began to read everyones experiences and costs. Mexico looked like the best option for me! I would have never even thought about going to Mexico to get this surgery performed but the price was GREAT and everyone's experiences were too!   My next step was getting my husband and my two teenaged children's blessing! They did not take it very well when I first mentioned it. After MANY discussions and arguments they agreed that if the gastric sleeve surgery meant that much to me they were going to support me. My mother however, was NOT supportive at all! She said that if I went to mexico she would be very angry with me. So I decided not to tell her my final decision and just get it done and deal with her afterwards!   Now to pick a surgeon! There seams to be a lot of wonderful surgeons in Mexico but I had to chose one! I decided on Doctor Kelly and scheduled my surgery with him for May 24th!   I FLY OUT TODAY!

sam74

sam74

 

Tired Of Food Running My Life

I was so looking forward to having to "make myself eat" after my sleeve. This has definetely not been the case. Im still hungry all the time. Im also upset that I have only lost 1 pound a week for the past 4 weeks. And this is after increasing my workouts from almost nothing to 3-5 days a week. I was so excited when I was in the gym that all of that hard work was going to mean more #'s off the scale. I guess not. Everyday of my life, when I see skinny women, I think to myself "is she hungry all the time?" and "what does she eat to be so damn skinny?". Basically these thoughts rule my world all of the time. As im sitting here, my stomach is growling and the idea of eating is awful because I know it will just keep making me fat. And on top of it all, this concept of protein keeping hunger at bay, well...I just dont believe it. I drink my protein, mix it into just about anything I can, and it sure isnt keeping me from being hungry. Uuugggghhh... On the positive side, I do feel good. I havent had any problems with my surgery, and I feel 100%. Im just going to keep eating healthy foods, excercising, and praying that one day god will help me get over this food addiction I have.

ahaliace

ahaliace

 

I Made It To Tijuana

Well I made it. I'm here at the INT hospital in Tijuana Mx. And after a vary FAST ride from the airport. They got me checked in and I'm in room 306. After playing with the TV trying to get an english speaking station Trish came in and told me how to do it. She got me a nice pillow and we talked. She is so nice. I walked past the night nurse who was getting a shoot with a BIG needle ready for someone. I covered my butt as I walked past her and she laughed. Looks like I'm the first one in the morning. The internet works great after you get the password.   Until the morning

Candyman

Candyman

 

Different Than Before

This blog has saved my life this morning.   The sleeve is seriously messing with my head.I thought I was in a looooong stall.In the mean time I have only not lost for 5 days.   The pattern with wich I lose is so different from before.I usually drop a few 100 grams every day,or most days.   Since being sleeved the weight will stand completely still for a week,sometimes a little more and then I drop about 4 pounds.But I mean completely still....not down even 100g.   Somehow my head is seriously done in by this.I just dont get use to this.My obsession with the scale is somehow more in control.It is not a matter of jumping on the scale every time I walk past it anymore.But I still get very anxious if I dont weigh every day.Cannot figure what to eat as I doubt myself so much,even when I track the food on fitday.Keep thinking maybe I had more,maybe Im not real about it...even when I weigh the food.Somehow when Im not losing I feel like I am doing something wrong even though I know Im not.   I suppose my fear that I will fail is still huge as I still feel I failed with the band as I did lose the weight but regained it.I am so resistant to believe that this will work as my big yap coudnt keep shut about the surgery and everybody knows.Maybe that is also why I havent climbed on the intense exercise band wagon yet.   Anyhoo,upwards and onwards christian soldiers....lol

desertmom

desertmom

 

Norman Rockwell Does Not Live In Your Cake!!!!

OK this is the low down... YES I did get that piece of cake but guess what... it wasn't that great, It did taste very good but IT IS ONLY FOOD!!! I think for years now my thoughts and cravings are more about my mind than my taste buds. Don't get me wrong it tasted good but not as good as my mind made it seem like it should be... I have given this extra dimension to food for years and have just realized it. I feel a little shell shocked still but let me say it again... ITS JUST FOOD!!!   You know how you work so hard to plan the "perfect Christmas Morning?" Months and months of attending to every detail.. I make these gorgeous bows and make home made gift tags for each gift. I shop and shop and shop finding the a perfect gifts, I stress and spend and swear I will never do it again because every year they rip through the gifts with very little notice to the hours I have spent wrapping etc and inevitably we have a return pile for all those "perfect gifts" but you know why I do it... I do it because I am chasing the Norman Rockwell version of Christmas painted on a card, Not the real Christmas we celebrate, where our PJ's dont match, we have bed head and to be completly honest I will undoubtedly have smeared mascara on my face from being up so late making everything so perfect, that I fall asleep without even washing my face or brushing my teeth...   Now the point is... (drum roll please)..... I have made every craving, every food fantasy into the erotic unatainable perfect "meal or snack or whatever" in my mind... it WILL NEVER be as good in my mouth as it is in my mind! Norman Rockwell doesn't live in CAKE!!!   Can anyone else agree with me or have I truly gone off the proverbial deep end??

Bamabander

Bamabander

 

5 Days Post Op

So I was banded 5/17 and I am in almost no pain, a little sore around the port area. I trying to beef up my protein shakes I am only drinking 2 a day I know I need to get to a least 3. I took a week off and now am going stir crazy in my home. This friday I am cleared for pureed foods and shakes any suggestions?

Lari_Ann

Lari_Ann

 

Feeling Down.

The girls have been on one this evening. I am feeling worn down by life today. I feel like I don't have the energy to fight the fight and get up and go. I don't tell anyone when I am feeling down so this is a big step for me to even put it on here. It has been one of those days that makes me want to sit down and cry. I sure hope it looks up after a good night of rest.   I still have not heard from the insurance company yet. I put a call into my Dr's office today and I am waiting to hear back from them. I think I am going to call the insurnace agency tomorrow and see if they have received the information from the doc's office as of yet.

CherylA

CherylA

 

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jianren925

jianren925

 

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jianren925

jianren925

 

2 1/2 Month Since Surgery

Well its been 2 1/2 month since my surgery and today i went to my medical dr. and weighed 350 lbs. i weighed 442 back on Oct 2011. By the time i had my surgery March 5th i weighed 417lbs, So now i have lost 67 lbs since my surgery and 92lbs since Oct. Many more to go

tony179@aol.com

tony179@aol.com

 

My Journey Begins

I have been thinking of having weight loss surgery for some time now. And that is as far as it went. Thinking aboiut it. For years and years my weight has gone up and up with out me really thinking anything about it or acknowledging it. Well, here I am at 41 years old and more then morbidly obese. I am ashamed of how I look and feel knowing that I put myself into the situation I am in. I know that if I don't do something about it I could die and I am way to young for that to happen. I have two wonderful children that are teenagers and I want to see them grow into adults and have children of there own. There's so much in life I still want to see and enjoy. I took the first step about a month ago by talking to my doctor about how I feel about my health and weight issues. She and I talked about surgery and placed the call to Dr. English in Marquette Michigan. With in a few days the office contacted me and sent an information package in the mail. I admit it took a while to mail the package back to them. I wanted to be sure I had learned much more before taking the next step. On March 21st, I attended the conference where I learned much more and made the decision to mail the filled out forms back to Dr. English's office. Next step, make appointments for psych exam and so forth. One step at a time , baby steps.. and I will succeed!

AnnMarie49930

AnnMarie49930

 

Hungry, Hungry Hippo

Today I have felt as though there is no bottom to my stomach. I have been so hungry that I think I could eat a whole pig if one was offered up. I am not sure where these hunger pains are coming from except that it's REALLY close to that time of the month.   Now, I have been very good at what I am eating. I have roasted chick peas that I munch on and some almonds. The problem with the almonds or any nut is that I could eat them until I got sick....lucky for me, I haven't. I need to learn to really focus on my hunger and figure out what my body is telling me. I will admit that I haven't really eaten much the last few days. I have had my three meals a day and made all my protein, but I had to force those meals down because I wasn't really hungry. Then BOOM, today my body and stomach do a 180 and now everything that can be consumed, I want to consume. Usually when I am like this (before surgery), I want ice cream, chocolate, bread, and salty foods. That isn't the case now. Now, I want healthy foods like nuts, apples, and peanut butter. I guess that's a good thing but I have to admit, I feel horrible for eating this much. Now, I don't fill up to the brim. I haven't slimmed, and to be honest, I am eating small "meals" every few hours but compared to what I was eating before surgery and after surgery, I feel like a hungry hippo chomping for those marbles.   I have read on here that there comes a time where people feel hungry constantly and eat more than they have been. I guess that is where I am now. I hope that tomorrow, I wake up and am no longer chasing those marbles. Also, maybe Aunt Flow will show up and put this wanting to eat thing to rest. I swear if it wasn't for Aunt Flow, I wouldn't have any worries but that lady is NO FUN and every time she comes around, I feel the hunger rearing it's ugly head. The hunger gets worse the closer she gets. Mother Nature and Eve sure weren't looking out for all the other women in the world when they decided to follow their own plans and not listen to anyone. Thanks a lot!!!

tmorgan813

tmorgan813

 

Big Decision

So, I'm 40 years old, and have struggled with my weight about 30 of those years. Up and down, up and down. Now, my last "up" has lasted 10 years, and I can't seem to bounce back into the "down" mode. I'm starting to to feel the weight in my joints, and I can't remember the last time I had some real energy. I resisted the surgery for so long, because I felt like a failure if I couldn't do it on my own. Now I realize that the only failure would be if I didn't do all I could to reclaim my life!   One I decided to go for it, the process has been really quick for me. I work full-time and go to school fuul-time, and in July I start an internship on top of that, so I knew that the surgery had to be before July. I now have all my pre-reqs done and have a surgery date of June 18th!   I just started working on the behavioral changes for the surgery. My goodness, if anyone had told me it would be this hard to focus on my chewing I would not have believed it! I'm a little worried about the pre-surgical liquid diet, because I'm sure I will be hungry. I have started replacing one meal with a shake now, and yep, I'm hungry! But that's ok, it will be so worth it in the long run!    

becky444

becky444

 

Banded Yesterday & Miserable, 5/21/12

So I was banded yesterday and I'm super sore today.... I was so out of it I'm not even sure where my port was actually put... I've got about 4 incisions and they are all a little swollen so I cant feel anything as of now... I have horrible pain in my shoulders, which I was warned about, but I swear I feel like I'm overdosing on Gas-X and its doing absolutely nothing for me!!! Not to mention I now have liquid pain medicine that I can't take because I'm SUPER sensitive to taste and it makes me gag.... I really hope it gets easier after today, I'm not hungry, but I'm miserable in every other way =(

blessed0711

blessed0711

 

Week 5 C25K

I started week 5! I was easier than last week. Which I am happy about because the last few weeks have been killing me. Also had an aftercare appointment today and down to 186! I have managed to loss about 8 lbs for the last few months but not this one. Oh well it has been a tuff one for me but I still lost and I am happy!

yellowrose88

yellowrose88

 

Wait And See

I have done all of my tests. I'm not sure what comes next. Will the surgeon call me for an appointment before he submits the paperwork? I guess it's not so bad. I know who will be reviewing my paperwork at the insurance company (everyone on the bariatric program is assigned a case officer). I have absolutely no control over how long this part of the process will take.   So while I'm playing the waiting game, I have been trying to practice some of the lifestyle changes that I will need to master. So far, the only thing I do well is chew my food to death before swallowing. Not drinking with meals is so hard! I'm getting better at it but it feels weird monitoring when I drink. I've spent most of my adult life guzzling down water to make sure I drank 64 ounces so timing no liquids 30 min before or after a meal is very strange. But I'm going to do it.   The one new thing I'm worried about is the hormone changes that I keep reading about. I'm not in a relationship now and I hate wanting a man when I don't have one! Honestly, I'm supposed to work on my 'boundaries' in my relationships with men; but and this is a bit BUT I'm not going to have any boundaries if I'm horny as an ugly toad...Who knows maybe I'm worrying for nothing about everything. My hormones could become more stable after this or just stay the same.   I'm at lunch I wish I could call it a day at work but time to go back to what I get paid to do.

Marisa46

Marisa46

 

Banded Bunny Bmi Below The Bar

So I was figuring out my BMI and realized something cool. I no longer qualify for WLS, if I were to go in today. My BMI went from 45 to 34.8 in 5 months. So I'm no longer extremely obese- just obese. So where as before I had a BMI over 40 and a few comorbities which would have had me ok for surgery with a BMI of 35, now after my last doctor check. My blood Pressure was normal 123/72, not the crazy 169/90 it was running before. I am off all my hypertension medications, EKG normal, and my blood sugar is normal where it was on the line of being scary before. It is amazing how much better I feel getting the first 57 pounds off. Now I am almost half to my goal weight-another 64 pounds to be at a normal BMI. Glad I got my band.

suzbuni

suzbuni

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

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